Moscow is the capital and most populous city of Russia, with approximately 15.1 million residents within the city limits, 17 million within the urban area and 20 million within the metropolitan area. Moscow is one of Russia’s federal cities. Time zone for Moscow is UTC+3.
- Currency – Russian Ruble https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
- Official Language – Russian is the official language in Russia. Due to the size of the country and its multinationalism 35 languages are officially recognized in Russia in various regions by local governments
- WiFi Availability – Moscow’s public transport system has reaped the rewards of the Wi-Fi revolution, with free internet available on buses, trams, trolleybuses, the metro, and many suburban trains. The Moscow Central Ring (MCR) is also wired up to Wi-Fi. You’ll have to log in and confirm your identity first, which is required by Russian law for all public Wi-Fi – but you only need to do this once before surfing. You will be asked to go through the procedure as soon as you access “MT_FREE” on Moscow’s transport system, and you will automatically be transferred to “wi-fi.ru”. Type in your country’s telephone code and your mobile telephone number. An SMS will immediately be sent to your number with a four-digit code. Type it in. After the identification process open your browser and press the CONNECT button. That’s it. The only thing you need is a telephone number (it does not have to be Russian). Without one you will not be able to connect. Wi-Fi on the street is another win-win solution. Within the Third Transport Ring (TTR) there are more than 1000 hot spots on city streets and even on two bridges: The Bolshoi Kamennyi and Bolshoi Moskvoretsky. So if you’re in downtown Moscow, you’ll be able to find free internet practically everywhere you go. For example in cafes. Sometimes you’ll need a password so just ask the waitress or waiter. Millions of Muscovites connect to public wifi on a daily basis and all providers claim that your data is protected and encrypted. However, opportunistic hackers can steal your data by setting up fake networks masked as public points so be vigilant. To prevent this from happening, cyber security specialists suggest avoiding suspect networks (always look at the name before hurriedly connecting), using VPN services (they are not prohibited in Russia), and if possible, mobile internet. Whatever you do, never buy Russian SIM cards from unofficial sellers. Cards must be registered along with your passport at communications outlets. There are many tariff packages with cheap internet including Beeline, MTS, MegaFon, and Tele2.
- Visa Required – Before you travel to Russia, you need to check what the visa policy is for your specific nationality as it can differ depending on where you are from. For those nationalities that do not require a visa, you can travel to Russia using your valid passport. If you require visa for participation in the conference, please email us for an official letter of invitation in support of your visa application.
How to reach Moscow by air
There are five primary commercial airports serving Moscow:
- Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO)
- Domodedovo International Airport (DME)
- Vnukovo International Airport (VKO)
- Zhukovsky International Airport (ZIA)
- Ostafyevo International Airport (OSF)
An aerial view of Terminal D at Sheremetyevo International Airport
Sheremetyevo International Airport (Russian: Шереметьево) is the most globally connected, handling 60% of all international flights. It is also a home to all SkyTeam (https://www.skyteam.com/en) members, and the main hub for Aeroflot (itself a member of SkyTeam). The airport comprises six terminals: four international terminals (one under construction), one domestic terminal, and one private aviation terminal.
High-speed Train Aeroexpress: Sheremetyevo Airport – Belorussky railway station
Aeroexpress departs from the Belorussky Railway Terminal every 30 minutes. Break: from 0:35 am to 5:35 am. The Aeroexpress leaves for the Belorussky railway terminal every 30 minutes. Break: from 0:15 am to 4:45 am. Travel time is 50 minutes. From Okruzhnaya station — 35 minutes. You can buy a ticket at the departure station, upon arrival at the airport, or online at the Aeroexpress website (in English and Russian). https://aeroexpress.ru/en/aero.html, https://aeroexpress.ru/aero.html
Fares
| Advance
When buying a ticket online or using the Aeroexpress mobile app. Tickets are available for purchase from 4 to 90 days prior to the planned trip date |
1 ride | 450₽ |
| Standard
When buying tickets at ticket offices or ticket machines; when paying at the turnstiles using a bank card |
1 ride | 500₽ |
| Business
Enhanced-comfort car with a guaranteed seat |
1 ride | 1500₽ |
| Round-trip
When buying a ticket online, from a ticket machine, or using the Aeroexpress mobile app |
2 rides | 850₽ |
| Duo
When buying a ticket online, from a ticket machine, or using the Aeroexpress mobile app |
2 rides | 850₽ |
| Duo Round-trip
When buying a ticket online, from a ticket machine, or using the Aeroexpress mobile app |
2 rides | 1450₽ |
| Children
5–7 years old |
1 ride | 130₽ |
| Group
For groups of up to 4 people |
1 ride | 950₽ |
| Group Round-trip
For groups of up to 4 people |
2 rides | 1700₽ |
| + metro
1 ride by Aeroexpress + 1 ride by metro or ground transport |
1 ride | 560₽ |
| Between airports | 2 rides | 1060₽ |
| Business traveller
2 rides by Aeroexpress + 2 rides by metro or ground transport |
2 rides | 1115₽ |
| Railcard 10
10 rides in a standard class carriage along any Aeroexpress route within 30 days, including the date of purchase. Passengers may not pass through the turnstile at the airport again for at least 10 minutes. Seats are not assigned. |
10 rides | 2700₽ |
| Railcard 15
15 rides in a standard class carriage along any Aeroexpress route within 30 days, including the date of purchase. Passengers may not pass through the turnstile at the airport again for at least 10 minutes. Seats are not assigned. |
15 rides | 4050₽ |
| Railcard 20
20 rides in a standard class carriage along any Aeroexpress route within 30 days, including the date of purchase. Passengers may not pass through the turnstile at the airport again for at least 10 minutes. Seats are not assigned. |
20 rides | 4500₽ |
Domodedovo International Airport (Russian: Домодедово) is the leading airport in Russia in terms of passenger throughput, and is the primary gateway to long-haul domestic and CIS destinations and its international traffic rivals Sheremetyevo. It is the biggest airport not only in Moscow, but also in Russia. Domodedovo is one of the top three best airports of the Eastern Europe according to the ranking of the independent British Skytrax agency. Most of Star Alliance members use Domodedovo as their international hub. There are trains that operate between the Paveletsky railway station in the center of Moscow as well as bus and shuttle services from the Metro Station Domodedovskaya (green line number “2”). It takes about 30 minutes to get from the Metro Station Domodedovskaya to the center of Moscow by metro.
High-speed Train Aeroexpress: Domodedovo Airport – Paveletsky railway station. Journey time: 45 minutes.
The train operates:
- from Paveletsky Rail Terminal from 6 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
- from Domodedovo Moscow Airport from 5:15 till midnight.
Vnukovo International Airport (Russian: Внуково) handles flights of Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Wizz Air and others. Vnukovo airport is 35 minutes from Kievskiy railway terminal in central Moscow (“Kievskaya” metro station) via the non-stop Aeroexpress. City buses 611, 611c, 611ф (means 611f) go to “Yugo-Zapadnaya” metro station on line “1” (red). Travel time is 25-40 minutes.
Please, check the terminal of your departure before the flight. Sometimes the terminals are noted as “Vnukovo A” or “Vnukovo B” in tickets. Vnukovo airport consists of three passenger terminals (A, B and D) and VIP terminal located in the separated building. Due to the Airport’s recently increased security profile, please, make sure that you allow sufficient time to pass through airport security procedures. Please, note that security lines, check-in and passport control may be longer than usual. All passengers are reminded that departure lounge of the terminal A (check-in area and passage to the departure gates) is located on the second floor. Terminal A VIP Lounge and international departures business lounge (except for Turkish airlines passengers) is located on the third floor. You should not pass customs and border control to access this business lounge.
High-speed Train Aeroexpress: Vnukovo Airport – Kievskiy railway station. Journey time: 40 minutes
The train operates:
- from Kievskiy Rail Terminal from 0:01 till 23:00
- from Vnukovo Moscow Airport from 6 a.m. to 23:56
Ostafyevo International Airport caters primarily to business aviation.
How to reach Moscow by railway
Several train stations serve the city. Moscow’s nine rail terminals (or vokzals) are:
- Belorussky Rail Terminal
- Kazansky Rail Terminal
- Kiyevsky Rail Terminal
- Kursky Rail Terminal
- Leningradsky Rail Terminal
- Paveletsky Rail Terminal
- Rizhsky Rail Terminal
- Savyolovsky Rail Terminal
- Yaroslavsky Rail Terminal
The terminals are located close to the city center, along with the metro Ringline (Kolcevaya) “5” or close to it, and connect to a metroline to the centre of town. Each station handles trains from different parts of Europe and Asia. There are many smaller railway stations in Moscow. As train tickets are cheap, they are the preferred mode of travel for Russians, especially when departing to Saint Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city. Moscow is the western terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway, which traverses nearly 9,300 kilometres (5,800 miles) of Russian territory to Vladivostok on the Pacific coast. Suburbs and satellite cities are connected by commuter “elektrichka” (electric rail) network. Elektrichkas depart from each of these terminals to the nearby (up to 140 km or 87 miles) large railway stations. During the 2010s, the Little Ring of the Moscow Railway was converted to be used for frequent passenger service; it is fully integrated with Moscow Metro; the passenger service started on September 10, 2016. There is a connecting railway line on the North side of the town that connects Belorussky terminal with other railway lines. This is used by some suburban trains. The Greater Ring of the Moscow Railway forms a ring around the main part of Moscow.
The Moscow Metro
The Moscow Metro is probably the most magnificent subway of the world. It is not only beautiful, but also cheap, reliable and runs on time. In Moscow the Metro is often the fastest way to get around the city compared to other means of public transportation, taxis or driving. During rush hours, metro trains run every one to two minutes. The Moscow Metro carries about 7 million passengers a day. That is why the trains and metro stations are very crowded especially on weekdays. The best time for a sightseeing tour in the Metro is early morning, late evening or Sunday. The Metro in Moscow has 12 lines with 223 stations. The route length is 381 km (about 237 miles). The deepest station (84 m / 275.59 ft) Park Pobedy (Russian: Парк Победы) belongs to the longest (45,1 km / 28 miles) line called Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya (Russian: Арбатско-Покровская). The Moscow Metro is smoke free. It is also prohibited the consume of alcohol. Bicycles are not allowed in the Metro, except for folding bicycles and kids’ bikes. Taking photos or filming in the Moscow Metro is permitted without using special equipment such as tripods, lights, etc.
Hours of operation of the Moscow Metro
Most stations of the Moscow Metro operate from 5:30 am to 1:00 am.
It is not possible to enter the Moscow Metro without a valid ticket. To get in, one has to place the ticket to a validator. The rides are paid for with electronic or paper cards. Tickets can be purchased at Metro ticket offices or at vending machines. The choice of a ticket depends on how often you want to travel by the Moscow Metro. These cards allow using all means of public transportation in Moscow: metro, bus, trolleybus, tram and the monorail road.
A typical validator at the entrance of any metro station
The names of metro stations are written in Cyrillic and in Latin letters which make it easier for millions of foreign tourists to find the way. Each metro line is has a number (1 to 15) and a different color. (http://news.metro.ru/scemas.html or here)Transfer stations can be easily recognized on the Metro map. When changing lines, the main difficulty is that transfer stations of different lines have different names. So it is important to know the right station. All metro stations are equipped with red/blue Emergency-Information-Points with two buttons. The emergency button is located on the red side and the information button on the blue one.
Additional information about the city you can find here: https://www.mos.ru/en/